Acclaimed filmmaker Werner Herzog is set to both write and direct the highly anticipated drama Bucking Fastard, featuring renowned sisters Kate Mara and Rooney Mara in leading roles. Their collaboration marks a significant milestone as it will be the first time these talented actresses have shared the screen, promising an engaging performance that fans and critics will surely appreciate.
After a six-year hiatus from directing dramatic films, Werner Herzog is making a triumphant return with Bucking Fastard. This latest project will delve into the intricate dynamics of twin sisters, showcasing the powerful storytelling that Herzog is known for. The film is set to start production this spring across picturesque locations in Ireland and Slovenia, allowing for a visually stunning backdrop to complement the emotional depths of the narrative.
This film marks a historic moment for the Mara sisters, as it represents their inaugural collaboration in a feature film setting. Bucking Fastard will explore the lives of inseparable twin sisters, Joan and Jean, who exist on the fringes of society. Their journey promises to be both captivating and thought-provoking, offering viewers a window into the unique bond shared by twins and the challenges they face in a world that often overlooks them.
While Deadline’s report does not explicitly confirm it, there are strong indications that the inspiration for Bucking Fastard comes from the real-life saga of Freda and Greta Chaplin. These twin sisters gained notoriety in the early ’80s due to their intense obsession with a neighbor, which ultimately led to legal action against them. Herzog has expressed a longstanding interest in their story, as noted in his recent memoir, Every Man for Himself and God Against All: A Memoir, where he articulated his desire to create a film that captures their extraordinary and unique experiences.
Herzog elaborated on the Chaplin twins’ distinctive communication style, where they would engage in synchronized speech, creating an almost ritualistic form of dialogue that was both fascinating and eerie. He shared experiences of meeting them, noting how they would greet him and speak in perfect unison, a unique ability that adds an intriguing layer to their story. This synchronicity in their speech highlights the complexities of their bond, making them a compelling subject for Herzog’s artistic vision.
Though Herzog has kept busy with various acting roles and acclaimed documentaries, his last dramatic work was Family Romance, LLC, released in 2019. Fans are eagerly awaiting this new venture, as the themes and characters explored in Bucking Fastard promise to deliver the compelling storytelling and visual artistry that Herzog is celebrated for.
